The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-09-22
BROUGHT DOWN BY RUM.
Sad Story of the Man Who Robbed Dir.
Miner.

Sad Story of the Man Who Robbed DR.
Miner.
The Boston Herald recently stated that a
man, presuming upon an acquaintance, had
introduced himself at the residence of Rev.
DR.. Miner of Boston, and, being left alone
for few minutes in the reverend gentle
mans parlor, had stolen silver vase and
disappeared. The sequel to this story was
recently developed when the robbery of an
overcoat was reported, and the police seeing
that this mans description answered
that of the man who committed the
theft, arrested him. From papers in his
pockets, it appeared that his name was
the officer established the fact that he was
the man who had robbed Dr. Miner. The
silver vase was found at a gentlemen's fur
nishing goods store on Green street, where he
had sold it for S. The vase was engraved
'Mrs A. A. Miner, from the ladies of the
First Universalist parish, San Francisco :"
Carriers letters showed that he had been a
Washington journalist, and had been at one
time connected with Bradstreets agency in
New York. On account of his fight against
the rum habit, which he had contracted, he
elected sympathy and help and had given
him letter of Endorsement, which also was
found on him. The unfortunate man was
badly shaken by drink. This letter was
found among the others, telling the story Of
his unhappy existence:
RAPID TRANSIT HOTEL, |
BowERY, New YORK, Aug. 10, 1887.
My Dear Sir: Pardon me if appeal to you
to help poor downfallen drunkard, for such
l am, and an outcast from all nv
friends. l have repeatedly, in my own
strength, endeavored to ref rm, but in each
case my good resolutions have been broken
and my terrible appetite has returned with
such additional strength as to lead me nearer
and nearer to drunkard's grave, until now
have become in such a position that l can
no longer trust myself, and / at last have
been brought to that sense of my entire help
lessness in any other strength except it comes
from the divine power above. When look
back over my life and see what rum
has done for me in the past seven years.
have been tempted on several occasions to
end my miserable earthly career. Seven
years ago had a wife and beautiful daugh.
ter and beautiful home, surrounded by
every luxury and comfort that could posi-
bly, make life pleasant, and with an income
of $4,000 per year to support that home To.
day have no home, have no wife, have
no daughter, have not even decent suit OF
clothes with which to apply for position.
l am about as near restitution as person
can be and exist, and my present position has
been secured through rum. Oh! do please in
your mission pray for me. l am asking God
hourly to help me, and | sincerely believe he
has kept me from temptation of strong
drink for the past week. Oh! please pray
that he may continue to help me in life OF
sobriety. have record in New York that
should not be afraid to refer to if it were
not for my past Incorporate life That has
been my besetting sin, and could / but re-
establish myself las l was once sober man
should again be restored to the bosom of
my dear family. l refrain from signing my
name to this, but shall be pleased to give Il
to you with other details at a personal inter-
view If desired Yours, in sincere repent
ance, A VIcTIM OF RIM
Among the letters was an old, well worn
faded photograph of an intelligent-lookina
woman, the wife to whom he referred in thi.
letter. The police did not think that the
man was at heart a thief He probably
went to Mr. Miners with u good object II
view, but, being left alone, the old tempta
ton was too strong for him and he stole The
vase. Though he received So for it he hadn't
any money in his pocket when arrested.